2022-2023 Teen Initiative application is now closed. 


Jewish Federation of Orange County amplifies Jewish life in Orange County, Israel, and around the world by providing strategic philanthropy and communal leadership. 

Federation partners with organizations to incubate innovative strategies that help make Jewish happen with greater impact. We believe that innovation is a way to reimagine Jewish life, ensuring that Jewish wisdom and community remain relevant in a changing world. We express this idea in a simple equation:

 

(P+I)L

 

We believe that (P)hilanthropy plus (I)nnovation multiplied by (L)eadership will determine the Jewish future.

 

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS

Federation’s Teen Engagement & Wellness Initiative is a multi-year investment designed to incubate and strengthen Jewish tween and teen programs in Orange County. Building on the research of the Jim Joseph Foundation, Federation seeks communal partnership to bring investment into tween and teen programs, meeting an identified gap in local Jewish programming.

 

Jewish Federation’s Teen Engagement & Wellness Initiative seeks to address two core challenges:

The perpetual problem of teens opting out of Jewish life in their tween and teen years

The need for wellness resources for teens that can guide and support teens holistically through a Jewish lens

 

As we launch the Teen Engagement & Wellness Initiative, we have 3 objectives:

Increase funding to existing and new projects to develop innovative ways to

a) engage more tweens and teens and

b) provide doorways to wellness resources for teens

Encourage Do It Yourself Jewish programs that allow teens to be co-creators in providing high-quality experiences

Spur a communal effort to elevate the careers of youth professionals and develop a pipeline for Jewish professional leaders for the future

 

 

 

WHO SHOULD APPLY
 

Jewish organizations, synagogues, and entrepreneurial program providers that can show a fundamental commitment to providing innovative programs to Jewish youth and youth professionals in Orange County.
 

Eligible applicants include nonprofits with tax-exempt status (or fiscal sponsorship) that serve the Orange County Jewish community. Nonprofits that currently receive other Federation grants must be in compliance with the terms of those awards to be considered. Only one application per organization will be accepted.

 

Proposals are requested from Orange County Jewish community organizations, congregations, Chabad centers, agencies and schools for innovative programs or initiatives that engage preteens and teens in Jewish life and/or wellness through a Jewish lens. These programs may be new, or existing, and must (a) achieve an incremental growth in participation of this demographic and/or (b) multiply the doorways for this demographic to wellness resources. 

WHAT WE’D LIKE TO SEE IN THE APPLICATION
 

  • Innovative approaches to tween/teen programming that are likely to increase the number of young people doing Jewish
     
  • Programs that support tween/teen wellness or operate as doorways to mental health resources
     
  • Collaboration is not a requirement of the grant, but we like it when organizations leverage partnerships to have a greater impact
     
  • We like it when the metrics for success are clearly defined and methodology for measurement identified

WHAT YOU GET SHOULD YOU BE SELECTED
 

Grants are likely to range from $10,000-$30,000 per year with a maximum of $50,000 per year and will be competitively awarded. Our intention is to provide renewable grants for up to 3 years. Granting guidelines are below.
 

Professional Development workshops are a unique opportunity for staff who work with tweens/teens to learn from leading practitioners in the field. Along the way, you’ll strengthen your abilities as a youth professional and further develop your leadership practice. We want to see you succeed and continue your career growth as a Jewish professional. We’re planning on pulling together 4-6 of these opportunities a year.
 

Community of Practice is designed to provide a multifaceted way of understanding the work and make friends who might work someplace else but share your passion for getting teens to do Jewish. The community of practice will meet up during the professional development workshops and on occasion to share the learning.

ELIGIBILITY

Jewish Federation of Orange County accepts Programmatic Grant requests only. Applicants must:

 

  • Fit the Teen Engagement and Wellness Initiatives granting guidelines. Grant funding may be for new or existing programs for Jewish tweens/teens ages 11-19 that (a) achieve an incremental growth in participation and/or (b) provide wellness programs and resources.

     
  • Be a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization serving the Jewish community and be able to provide an Internal Revenue Service Determination Letter or other evidence confirming its current charitable, tax-exempt status.

     
  • Meet the Submission Deadline: Your completed 2023 Submission Package is due no later than Thursday, November 3, 2022 by 5:00 PM PST.

    ELIGIBILITY

    Jewish Federation of Orange County accepts Programmatic Grant requests only. Applicants must:

     

  • Fit the Teen Engagement and Wellness Initiatives granting guidelines. Grant funding may be for new or existing programs for Jewish tweens/teens ages 11-19 that (a) achieve an incremental growth in participation and/or (b) provide wellness programs and resources.

     
  • Be a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization serving the Jewish community and be able to provide an Internal Revenue Service Determination Letter or other evidence confirming its current charitable, tax-exempt status.

     
  • Meet the Submission Deadline: Your completed 2023 Submission Package is due no later than Thursday, November 3, 2022 by 5:00 PM PST.

Important Dates

Wednesday, Sep. 7 at 11am. | Zoom “Town Hall” meeting for prospective applicants 

Thursday, Nov.3 | Grant applications due

Monday/Tuesday Nov. 28 & 29 | Grant finalists to present their proposals to grant committee

Friday, Dec. 9 | Awardees notified

Dec 2022-January 2023 | Funds awarded and grant year begins

November 2023 | Progress report due

December 2023 |  Notification of second year grant funding

Please note: The application is password protected. If you do not have the password please email Lisa Armony at LArmony@JFedOC.org.

 

Applications must be accompanied by a program budget.
Click here for the budget template.

 

If you have any questions, please contact Lisa Armony, Chief Impact Officer at LArmony@JFedOC.org or 949-435-3484 ext. 376. 
For technical support please contact Nitzan Harel at NHarel@JFedOC.org